Project outline: Most Proteaceae, such as banksias and grevilleas, produce specialised cluster roots that mine the soil for nutrients, especially phosphorus. This mining activity allows them to live on severely nutrient-impoverished soils and involves the release of large amounts of carboxylates, typically citric acid and malic acid. These carboxylates are a ready energy source for the soil microbial community. However, the impact of this source of energy on the microbial community and how this impact might be of benefit to the plant is unknown. Using molecular fingerprinting, this project will identify the differences in the prokaryotic community structure between the soil mined by cluster roots and the neighbouring soil not mined by cluster roots. Using database searches, the types of prokaryotes present will be determined, generating hypotheses about their potential impact on the plant.
Supervisors: Professor Elizabeth Watkin, Associate Professor Patrick Finnegan (School of Biological Sciences, UWA)
Contact: Professor Elizabeth Watkin
Level: Honours/Masters
Funding: Funding available for this project. Collaboration with UWA
Preferred start date: Semester 1 2023.
Similar Positions
-
Research Associate, Curtin University, Australia, 11 days ago
Full Job Description Job Reference: 1186852 WASM: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering We have an exciting position available for a Research Associate to join WASM: Minerals, Energy and Chemi...
-
Lecturer, Curtin University, Australia, 1 day ago
Job Reference: 1186793 WA School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023, Curtin University ranked 1st in Australia and 2nd in the w...
-
Director, Uwa Public Policy Institute, The University of Western Australia, Australia, 2 days ago
Job no:516494 Work type:full time Location:Crawley Categories:Administration & Executive support UWA Public Policy Institute UWA is regarded as one of Australia’s top research institutions. Its st...
-
Publications Officer, The University of Western Australia, Australia, 17 days ago
An opportunity to produce publications with a global impact. Level 5, full-time appointment on a 12-month fixed term basis with prospect of extension. Base salary range: $76,422 – $84,705 p.a. (pr...
-
Research & Finance Lead, Curtin University, Australia, 14 days ago
Job Reference: 1186852 WASM: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering We have an exciting position available for an experienced Research & Finance Lead to join WASM: Minerals, Energy and Chemical...
-
Communications And Outreach Coordinator, The University of Western Australia, Australia, 2 days ago
Job no:517046 Work type:part time Location:Crawley Categories:Community Engagement/Marketing An exciting opportunity to play a key role in developing and delivering on the communications and outre...